Icasa publishes position paper on broadcasting services and licences

The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) has finally published its position paper on broadcasting services and licenses.

The paper, which is open for comment until 13 February 2004 before being ratified by parliament, sets out the authority's policy on the control of commercial broadcasting services and the limitations on foreign and cross-media ownership.

Several major issues are up for review in the paper:

Three additional commercial broadcasting licences in each of the primary markets (Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban)

Four secondary market licenses, in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, the Northern Cape and North West. Further licences might also be granted in the Eastern Cape and the Free State.

The Authority is in the process of re-licensing Capital Radio in Kwazulu-Natal and Eastern Cape and will also re-licence the two MW frequencies forfeited by Punt Gesels Radio.

The number of commercial stations one party may own may not exceed 35% of all licensed commercial stations.

The limit on foreign ownership is to be increased from 20% to 35%.

The Review of Ownership and Control of Broadcasting Services and Existing Commercial Sound Broadcasting Licences is available in .pdf format on the Icasa website, www.icasa.org.za